This document summarizes efforts in Shenandoah County, Virginia to address livestock producer concerns about disposing of large animal mortality. The county began accepting large animal carcasses at the county landfill, processing over 200 head between 2004 and 2005. Additionally, three on-farm composting demonstrations were conducted to learn about composting as an alternative disposal method. The demonstrations found composting could successfully dispose of mortality but was likely more expensive than other options for most farmers, and left large bones remaining after decomposition. The full report on these disposal option trials is available online.

1. Composting as a Large Animal Mortality Disposal Option
In Shenandoah County Virginia
Robert A. Clark, Extension Agent
Virginia Cooperative Extension
600 North Main Street Suite 100
Woodstock, Virginia 22664
540-459-6140 (w)
540-459-6147 (fax)
540-984-2359 (cell)
Abstract
Livestock producers in Shenandoah County, Virginia expressed concern regarding the
disposing of livestock mortality. Over the past three to five years local renderers shifted from
paying farmers a small amount of money for picking up mortality to charging farmers to pick
up their mortality. Also farmers were becoming fearful that renderers might soon quit
accepting large animal mortality. Several meetings were held to discuss options. Two
decisions were made. First, the county would begin accepting large animal mortaility at the
county landfill. Policies and procedures by which the county would accept mortality were
developed. From July 2004 through December 2005 the county landfill accepted 221 head of
mortality. The county continues to accept mortality at the landfill. The second decision was
that three demonstrations would be established to learn about composting large animal
mortality. The composting demonstrations were conducted on three farms during the winter
of 2005. Seven head of cattle were successfully composted and two head of cattle did not
successfully compost. The conclusions of the composting demonstrations were that; (1)
composting large animal mortality can be done successfully on farms; (2) composting will
likely cost more than rendering or burial at the landfill for most Shenandoah County farmers
and; (3) the large bones still remain at the end of the composting process which will likely be
a disposal problem.
This presentation will provide insight into disposing of large animal mortality in the county
landfill over the last 2 years and will provide information about the three on-farm composting
demonstrations. A complete report on this project is available at the following web site:
http://offices.ext.vt.edu/view.cfm?webname=shenandoah&section=newsletters_a&idn=9935